Anger, tears, sorrow as Drue is sentenced

Called a "cruel, twisted, sick human being," Dennis Drue is sentenced to 5 to 15 years for killing two teenagers

Robert Gavi, Times Union

By Robert Gavin

Updated 9:37 am, Friday, December 6, 2013

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by Saratoga Sheriff deputies following his sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by Saratoga Sheriff deputies following his sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by...

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by Saratoga Sheriff deputies following his sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Dennis Drue leaves the Saratoga County Court House following his sentencing Thursday Dec. 5, 2013 in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Dennis Drue leaves the Saratoga County Court House following his...

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by Saratoga Sheriff deputies following his sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by...

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by Saratoga Sheriff deputies following his sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by...

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by Saratoga Sheriff deputies following his sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) )

Dennis Drue is lead out of the Saratoga County Court House by...

Security was slightly increased at the Saratoga County courthouse as court officers prepared for the sentencing of Dennis Drue, the man who caused the fatal crash that killed Chris Stewart, 17, fellow Shenendehowa classmate Deanna Rivers, 17, and injured Bailey Wind, now 18, and Matt Hardy, now 18. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Security was slightly increased at the Saratoga County courthouse...

Members of the media gather outside of Saratoga County Court ahead of Thursday's sentencing for Dennis Drue, the driver from Halfmoon who caused a crash that killed two students from Shenendehowa High School and injured to others.
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Members of the media gather outside of Saratoga County Court ahead...

Dennis Drue, left, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, right, at Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue, left, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, right,...

Dennis Drue, left, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, right, at Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue, left, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, right,...

Dennis Drue, right, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, left, at Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue, right, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, left,...

Dennis Drue, right, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, left, at Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue, right, arrives with his attorney Steve Coffey, left,...

Dennis Drue arrives at Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue arrives at Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday...

Saratoga County Sheriff's deputes arrive at Saratoga County Courthouse to increase security for the Dennis Drue sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Saratoga County Sheriff's deputes arrive at Saratoga County...

Saratoga County Sheriff's deputes arrive at Saratoga County Courthouse to increase security for the Dennis Drue sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Saratoga County Sheriff's deputes arrive at Saratoga County...

Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy, center, arrives at Saratoga County Courthouse for the Dennis Drue sentencing Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue is to be sentenced after pleading guilty felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Bailey Wind, a survivor of last December's Northway accident, holds her book as she speaks about her life since the accident during an interview at her family's home Friday Nov. 29, 2013, in Colonie, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Bailey Wind, a survivor of last December's Northway accident, holds...

Accident survivors Bailey Wind and Matt Hardy during a ceremony in their honor before Saturday's Shen vs. Shaker basketball game at Shaker High in Colonie Fe. 9, 2013. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Accident survivors Bailey Wind and Matt Hardy during a ceremony in...

The cover of Bailey Wind's book at her family's home Friday Nov. 29, 2013, in Colonie, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

The cover of Bailey Wind's book at her family's home Friday Nov....

Bailey Wind wears gel bracelets in memory of her late boyfriend Chris Stewart during an interview at her family's home Friday Nov. 29, 2013, in Colonie, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Bailey Wind wears gel bracelets in memory of her late boyfriend...

Dennis Drue, right accompanied by his defense attorney Steve Coffey leaves Saratoga County Courthouse where he took a plea deal Sept. 27, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue, right accompanied by his defense attorney Steve Coffey...

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy III, center, surrounded by family members of those killed or injured in the crash in which Dennis Drue pleaded guilty on Friday Sept. 27, 2013, in Saratoga County Court in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy III, center,...

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy III, center, surrounded by family members of those affected by the accident in which Dennis Drue pleaded guilty Friday Sept. 27, 2013 in Saratoga County Court in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy III, center,...

Regina Stewart, left, Chris Stewart's mother, walks into Saratoga County Courthouse with Dawn Wind, Bailey Wind's mother, on Friday Sept. 27, 2013 in Saratoga County Court in Ballston Spa, N.Y. to hear the plea that was taken by Dennis Drue. Chris Stewart was killed and Bailey Wind critically injured in the crash. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Regina Stewart, left, Chris Stewart's mother, walks into Saratoga...

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy III, center, surrounded by family members of those affected by the accident in which Dennis Drue pleaded guilty on Friday Sept. 27, 2013, in Saratoga County Court in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dawn Wind, visibly emotional, left heads to District Attorney James...

Dennis Drue, the man charged with causing the death of two Shenendehowa High School students on the Northway, arrives at Saratoga County Courthouse Friday morning, Aug. 16, 2013, in Ballston Spa, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Dennis Drue, the man charged with causing the death of two...

Dennis Drue, the man charged with causing the death of two Shenendehowa High School students on the Northway, arrives at Saratoga County Courthouse Friday morning, Aug. 16, 2013, in Ballston Spa, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Phil Barrett, far left, Clifton Park Town supervisor, addresses those gathered for a press conference to announce plans for a Fourth of July event to raise funds for the Shenendehowa Memorials organization. The organization was started after the 2012 fatal car crash that took the lives of two students, Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers and injured Matt Hardy and Bailey Wind. Family members of the students injured or killed were also in attendance. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Phil Barrett, far left, Clifton Park Town supervisor, addresses...

Mike Stewart, the father of Chris Stewart, closes his eyes as Assemblyman Jim Tedisco talks about Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers during a press conference to announce plans for a Fourth of July event to raise funds for the Shenendehowa Memorials organization. The organization was started after the 2012 fatal car crash that took the lives of two students, Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers and injured Matt Hardy and Bailey Wind.
(Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Mike Stewart, the father of Chris Stewart, closes his eyes as...

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco addresses those gathered for a press conference to announce plans for a Fourth of July event to raise funds for the Shenendehowa Memorials organization. The organization was started after the 2012 fatal car crash that took the lives of two students, Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers and injured Matt Hardy and Bailey Wind. Family members of the students injured or killed were also in attendance. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Bailey Wind, 17, center, and Matt Hardy, 17, applaud at introductions during a ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at Siena College in Loudenville, N.Y. Shaker and Shenendehowa girls and boys basketball teams played games to benefit the memorial scholarship funds for Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers, Shenendehowa athletes who were both killed in a recent car crash. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Bailey Wind, 17, center, and Matt Hardy, 17, applaud at...

Dennis Drue, age 22, is led from a State Police car Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, to the Saratoga County Courthouse in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union archive)

Dennis Drue, age 22, is led from a State Police car Monday, Jan. 7,...

Dennis Drue, age 22, is led from a State Police car Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, to the Saratoga County Courthouse in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue allegedly drove the car which rear-ended an SUV killing two popular Shenendehowa High School students on the Northway last Dec. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue, age 22, is led from a State Police car Monday, Jan. 7,...

Dennis Drue, age 22, is led from a State Police car Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, to the Saratoga County Courthouse in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue allegedly drove the car which rear-ended an SUV killing two popular Shenendehowa High School students on the Northway last Dec. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Dennis Drue, age 22, is led from a State Police car Monday, Jan. 7,...

Bailey Wind talks about the accident, during an interview at her home on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 in Latham, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Bailey Wind talks about the accident, during an interview at her...

Surrounded by the family of Dennis Drue's victims and fellow prosecutors, Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy III discussed Drue's sentencing. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Surrounded by the family of Dennis Drue's victims and fellow...

Crash victim Bailey Wind, left, exits a press conference following the sentencing of Dennis Drue Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Crash victim Bailey Wind, left, exits a press conference following...

Baily Wind, left, followed by her mother Dawn Wind leave Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Baily Wind, left, followed by her mother Dawn Wind leave Saratoga...

Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy, left, speaks during the post sentencing press conference Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, at the Saratoga County Court House in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy, left, speaks during the post...

Family and friends of the Rivers and the Stewarts leave Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Family and friends of the Rivers and the Stewarts leave Saratoga...

Bailey Wind, stands with her father Bobby, sister Nikki and mother Dawn Wind Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Bailey Wind, stands with her father Bobby, sister Nikki and mother...

Deborah and Brian Rivers leave Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Deborah and Brian Rivers leave Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday...

Bailey Wind speaks at the media Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, following the sentencing of Dennis Drue. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Bailey Wind speaks at the media Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2013,...

Deborah and Brian Rivers leave Saratoga County Courthouse with Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy, right, Thursday afternoon Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y, following the sentencing of Dennis Drue. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Deborah and Brian Rivers leave Saratoga County Courthouse with...

Deborah and Brian Rivers leave Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday afternoon Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y., followng the sentencing of Dennis Drue. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union).

Deborah and Brian Rivers leave Saratoga County Courthouse Thursday...

Crash victim Matt Hardy, left, exits a press conference following the sentencing of Dennis Drue Thursday Dec. 5, 2013, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Drue was sentenced to 5-15 years after pleading guilty to felony charges regarding the Northway crash which killed Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers just over a year ago. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

He was drunk and stoned and speeding on his way to meet his drug supplier.

They were young and in love and on their way to a sleepover.

On Dec. 1, 2012, their vehicles — and lives — met on the Northway about a mile north of the Twin Bridges.

It was the fifth time since 2007 that Dennis Drue, 23, of Halfmoon had caused a car crash. And this time it killed Shenendehowa High School students Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers, while severely injuring Bailey Wind and Matt Hardy, both 17, the respective girlfriend and boyfriend of the teens killed.

On Thursday, a year and four days later, the survivors met Drue again in a Saratoga County courtroom — this time just before a judge sentenced the admitted killer to prison for 5 to 15 years.

First, the survivors and family members of Stewart and Rivers faced Drue and revealed their devastation, scars and rage.

"Within seconds our lives went black," Wind said from the witness stand as she cried. "And we lay in the dark cold woods pinned between trees flipped over, trapped, unable to move while our respective loves were dead next to us. You murdered Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers. You are a murderer!"

"We were good kids having clean fun," said Hardy, a football teammate of Stewart's. "Why did this happen to good kids? Why?"

Drue pleaded guilty on Sept. 27 to all 58 counts he faced. He admitted he was drunk, speeding and text-messaging when he smashed his Volvo sedan into the back of a Ford Explorer carrying the teenagers. Drue, a five-time suspended driver, has 22 prior traffic offenses.

Clad in her late boyfriend's Shenendehowa football jersey, Wind called Drue a "cruel, twisted, sick human being."

Drue's attorney, Stephen Coffey, objected to Wind's remarks but was overruled by County Judge Jerry Scarano, who allowed her to continue speaking.

Assistant District Attorney James R. Davis said Drue inaccurately told a probation officer conducting a pre-sentencing report that he believed the victims' SUV was traveling 45 mph and did not have its lights on. Scarano reminded Davis that prosecutors once offered Drue a plea offer that would have carried 5 to 15 years in prison.

"Unfortunately, nothing that I can do from up here will make any of this pain go away," Scarano said. "I know that these four families will have to go forward and deal with this in their own way, but I hope everyone else will be able to take a step back, get rid of whatever bitterness is still there and I also hope that everyone who knew Christopher and Deanna will be able to take comfort in having memories that they have."

District Attorney James Murphy III criticized the sentence. He said the sentence was what prosecutors initially offered — and Drue rejected — before they had all of their evidence gathered. Once the case became stronger, Murphy said his office demanded a longer sentence.

He released a series of text messages sent out by Drue — moments before the crash — in which the subject of conversation was obtaining pot.

"You know I'm selling it, right?" one text said.

"Can I come get some in an hour?" another stated.

Witnesses were prepared to testify that they spotted Drue drinking heavily earlier that night at a restaurant in Colonie. Drue consumed four shots of liquor, mixed drinks and beer, Murphy said, but later claimed to police that he barely had one drink.

On Thursday, when Drue was allowed to speak, he said he was "beyond sorry" for his actions.

"I need to you to know that not a minute of the day goes by that I don't feel an overwhelming sorrow for the pain that I've caused," he said. "I never meant to hurt anybody and to be the enemy feels terrible. I take full responsibility for this. I know nothing I say can take away the pain, but I am always praying that you will find comfort in the Lord. I just want to say I'm so sorry — I really am. Anytime I'm watching football I think about Chris and I how, like, I feel wrong to even watch football. I shouldn't even enjoy that."

Stewart's mother said her son's toothbrush is still by the sink in her house, and she asked Drue if he left his toothbrush on his sink Thursday morning before going to prison.

"I hope every time you pick up your toothbrush in jail, you think of my grief," Stewart's mother said. "I do not hate you. I'm just truly sad, and I'm working on forgiveness."

Alcohol was found in Drue's blood, as were high levels of an active byproduct of marijuana, Murphy said. He said Drue was driving 81 mph.